Dorchester Paws
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Dorchester Paws strives to instill humane principles into society through the prevention of cruelty to animals.
- Income
- $2.2 million
- Spending
- $1.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 18.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 57%
- Employees
- 49
- Volunteers
- 150
- Highest pay
- $95,914, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 18.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 37% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $1.5 million spent. Dorchester Paws, formerly known as Frances R. Willis SPCA, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of animals in Dorchester County, South Carolina. Dorchester Paws is the only open-admission shelter in Dorchester County, serving towns including Rosinville, Ridgeville, Oakbrook, St. George, Summerville, and Grover, SC. Partnering with Dorchester Code Enforcement, we take in every lost, abandoned, and abused animal and provide them with food, shelter, and medical attention until they find their forever home.We strive to instill humane principles into society through the prevention of cruelty to animals by championing responsible pet ownership, ending unnecessary euthanasia, and ending over pet population. We are dedicated to reducing pain and fear in our community's animals and are proud to say that our staff and volunteers are fear free certified.ShelterOur shelter was established in 1972 by Frances R. Willis with land donated by Westvaco. Dr. Brunson Westbury and Frances R. Willis worked to get the road built and land cleared to open the facility. Over the years, the shelter has been expanded, but we continue to reach and exceed our capacity because our community is growing and the pet overpopulation crisis is not abating.Dorchester Paws is a partner in the "No Kill South Carolina Coalition." Since the beginning of 2017, we have made significant improvements to our shelter and the quality of care we provide to the animals. Our euthanasia rate has been steadily reduced and we have not euthanized for time, space, or money since January 2017. We are committed to meeting the live release rate of the national average. In 2021, we had an overall live release rate of 93%.We are excited to announce that we will be joining No Kill South Carolina in their mission to make the whole state no-kill by 2024! Together we can create a no-kill community!AdoptionWhen adopting an animal, a valid and current photo ID is required. Most importantly, plan to spend some time at the shelter getting to know your new pet. If you are interested in adopting a dog, an adoption counselor will take you to an outdoor pen to meet him/her. We want to make sure whomever you choose will be the right match for you.If you are adopting from Dorchester Paws, cats must leave in a carrier and dogs must leave on a leash. You may bring your own or purchase one at the shelter for a nominal charge.Plan to bring everyone who lives in your household along so they may meet your new pet! If you have a dog at home and are planning to adopt a dog, it is important to bring your pet to meet the new dog.If you rent your home, please check with your landlord before coming to Dorchester Paws to make sure you are familiar with their pet policies.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 1980.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.